Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Recording on or reproducing from an element of diverse utility – Card
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2002-01-29
Faber, Alan T. (Department: 2753)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Recording on or reproducing from an element of diverse utility
Card
C360S088000, C360S128000, C360S240000, C235S449000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06342982
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card reader for reading data recorded on a card such as a magnetic card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional card reader was designed for indoor use, and generally comprises a card passage provided in the main body, and an opening provided in the inner wall of the card passage. An elastic member for pushing from an outward position to an inward portion of the card passage, and a magnetic head unit integrated with this elastic member are placed in the opening. The magnetic head reads data recorded on a card. On the magnetic head-confronting side of the main body, there may be a circuit unit for processing the card data from the magnetic head.
FIG. 12
shows the shape of a conventional card reader main body. In the conventional card reader shown in
FIG. 12
, walls
46
(2 to 3 mm thick) are disposed at both sides of a card passage
41
for assuring stable running of the card. Both end portions
47
at which the card is inserted and passed through are shaped nearly at right angle to a mounting surface
48
.
FIG. 13
is a side view showing a mounting state of the main body of a conventional card reader on an operation panel (hereinafter called unit panel)
120
of an automatic vending machine installed at a filling station or the like. It shows the arrangement of the main body and the unit panel of the apparatus in which the conventional card reader is assembled. Waterproof sheets
130
are adhered to both end portions
47
and ceiling
465
of the card reader main body, and it shows the mode of inserting the main body into the unit panel
120
.
However, when such a conventional card reader is installed outdoors, it involves the following problems. Foreign material (water or other liquid, dust, etc.) may, invade inside through a gap between the main body opening and the magnetic head, or a gap at the junction between the main body upper surface and the unit panel in which the card reader is assembled. If foreign material deposits, adequate electric insulation in the terminals and circuits of the magnetic head may not be maintained. Therefore, the card data may not be read.
This problem may be solved by applying a waterproof coat of paint or sealant on the terminals of magnetic head, soldered parts of lead wires, and circuits. However, when assembling the card reader, this solution requires additional steps of applying the sealant, drying, and inspecting. In addition, if ice, dust or mud deposits on the spring for pressing the magnetic head, the spring guide, or the gap between the main body opening and the magnetic head, the motion of the magnetic head may be disturbed. Due to the disturbed motion, the card reader may not read the card data accurately.
As shown in FIG.
12
and
FIG. 13
, however, both end portions
47
of the conventional card reader are almost at right angles. The length of the unit panel
120
is defined to be D
120
and the dimension of the adhesion of the waterproof sheet to the card reader main body
40
is defined to be d
40
. In this case, in order to prevent invasion of foreign material, the dimension D
120
must not be much larger than the dimension d
40
. Accordingly, when mounting the card reader main body
40
on the unit panel
120
, the waterproof sheet
130
is likely to be peeled or torn. Therefore, in the shape of the card passage of the conventional card reader main body, it was extremely difficult to adhere the waterproof sheet on the upper side of the main body card passage, and assemble the card reader by adhering the card reader to the unit panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is intended to solve the aforesaid problems. It is hence an object thereof to present a card reader capable of preventing invasion of foreign material from outside the card reader into parts of the card reader other than the card passage of the card reader, and preventing impediment of motion of the magnetic head by invasion of foreign material. To achieve the object, the card reader of the invention comprises a main body, a magnetic head for reading the data recorded on a card, and a gasket to prevent invasion of foreign material (water or other liquid, dust, etc.) The gasket is placed so as to be in close contact with the periphery of the magnetic head, and also in close contact with the main body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5698832 (1997-12-01), Someya et al.
patent: 6042010 (2000-03-01), Kanayama et al.
patent: 6176426 (2001-01-01), Kanayama et al.
patent: 8-279240 (1996-10-01), None
patent: 9-269967 (1997-10-01), None
patent: 10-198752 (1998-07-01), None
Kanayama Yasuhiro
Oki Hajime
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